New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-16
Tho Jewel that John Found.
BY VINCENT BELL.

:A'N e'AAo ioIoC WHISTLE LSlQ DlOWn aC
Dart's shoe factory when Annie Velga
came running up the street, painting
ana red or face, John Dart, standing
on the steps talking with two
strangers smiled as she came up, and
said in slightly surprised tones:
You are Late this morning Miss
Velga-something never before
known"
"1es, Sir. I an sorry, but over
slept myself
up late last night-had a beau,
perhaps?" suggested John, roguishly.
"No, sir" retorted Annie, promptly,
and rather snappishly. for, even
though he was the nephew of William
Dart. the great shoeman, and the pro-
spective heir to all his wealth, she con-
slider ed he was taking 8 liberty, especi-
ally before strangers. Perhaps pretty
and prim little Annie had some other
reason, too, for resenting his remark.
''Pretty GIRL" said one OF the strang-
ers after she had passed.
"Ies," assented John, "and about
the neatest. quickest girl ever in the
work-room," and then the stranger
began talking again very earnestly, as
before Annie came up the steps.
"Well,' said John, "of course you
may satisfy yourself, but I can tell
you beforehand there is not one of our
girls whom we do not trust. It will
take you about all day, for they live
IN all directions from here, if you have
to search their rooms AS uncle says
must 60 with you in that case, the
sooner it is over the better for me-"
Then they all three went up stairs to
the girls workroom.
"Wlll those who stopped ut Dingus'
leweIry store last night. on the way
home from work, please stand up?"
said John. Over half OF them stood
up. while John took down their names
and the numbers OF their rooms, and
the detectives watched each face keen
ly. SO far no one was disturbed by a
guilty conscience. After ascertaining
beyond a doubt that all who had
been in the store reported. John an
nounced:
"We have received word that g. val
liable amount of jewelry was stolen
from this firm last night at about the
hour you were there, therefore suspi-
clon has fallen upon you, and each
girl must allow her room to be search
ed If the goods are not previously
found upon her person."
SO the search began. A quiet, trusty
girl, much older than the others, and
who had not been with them the even
ing before, was appointed to conduct
the personal Investigation in another
room. One after another left the
workroom to return in a few minutes,
declared innocent, until the officers
were satisfied none Of the goods were
at the factory.
"Now," said John, wnen the last
girl had returned, viii each one of you
give me your keys in turn, for must
accompany this officer in his search
while the other remains here'
"Not this morning spoke up Anna
Velga, quickly, while the smart detec-
tive felt the jewels in his grasp, so to
speak, and the reward in his pockets.
John looked surprised-some said he
turned a. trihe pale as he looked into
Annie's flushed guilty face.
eyes, OF course, this morning." he
answered gravely "What difference
is it, Miss Annie?"
None answered Annie, hastily;
but as John took her key, the detec.
tive, thinking it best to search her
room at once, instead of in her turn,
she burst out crying and seemed SO
broken down the remaining officer felt
justified in placing her under arrest.
John had visited Annie's room be-
fore, just once, not many evenings be-
fore. He had taken her a book
to read and small basket O.
fruit, thinking that as neat q way
to begin his courtship as any. HI
had thought as he left that evening
it was the prettiest, brightest little
room he had ever seen, far exceeding
any IN his uncle's grand mansion
He had little thought the next time
he climbed the stairs to room No
80 would be upon such painful er
rand. He could not believe sweet lit
tie Annie guilty until it was proven
yet he climbed the steps unwillingly
and with more unwilling fingers turn
ed in the lock the key Annie had sur
rendered. When the door was oper
he stood for moment irresolute
The room seemed the same, yet moi
the same either. Where, the evening
he had called a pretty Japanese
screen had stood, was now rather
shabby though scrupulously clean lit
tie stove, and thereon skillet with 6
f.e few potatoes left from the morning.
L. meal; and dainty bed, with cover.
ii thrown back and pillows airing, wa!
drawn out where had stood small
,, book cabinet he had particularly no
ticed. John reassured himself he wa
in the right door by several little ar
,, ticles on the walls, and while the busy
detective was diving around in Annie!
one trunk and the bureau drawer
looking sor the lost treasure John wa!